Framelocks: Am I doing it wrong?

[crispy]

I know what you mean. I had this problem when I first got my ZT 0550, now it opens buttery smooth with no problems. All I did was move the pocket clip from tip up to tip down. On the 0550 specifically, you'll notice that in tip down configuration does two things.

1. You are able to rest your fingers on the clip while opening, and not on the frame lock.
2. The clip rests on the lock bar stabilizer. So any pressure applied to the lock bar by the clip itself and applied by your fingers onto the clip does not get transferred to the lock bar.

I have no idea how many other frame lock knives this will apply to, so your mileage may vary.

Chris

 

[K.O.D.]

You might want to consider a Daishō set instead, the Wakizashi might be a little quicker when fighting those bears:thumbup:

Daisho. Haven't heard or thought about that in a while. Though a 10mm would be a better, smaller option for fighting a bear. Unless that bear is a trained ninja.

 

[intron]

You more than likely have one with a countersink. A customer recently pointed this out to me. Most ZT0562s only have one perfect hole where the detent ball snaps in. Some however have what looks like a larger hole with a smaller hole in it. These make the knife lock up tighter. Some people love it because the knife flies out when it breaks the detent, others do not like it so much. If you open the knife and look down as the hole passes the space on the lockbar you will be able to see what I am talking about. Any added pressure just makes it that much harder to open!

My 0562 (#1399) has the counntersunk (2 holes) detent hole. I'd say it has a strong detent. Also, the detent ball when closed sits all the way in the blade.
Strangely I can open the knife with my left hand easier than my RH. I'm right handed. Any idea why some of the 0562s have the two holes? Pic below of the 2 drilled holes.

 

[jascolli]

So every frame-lock I have ever handled had the same problem (i.e. ZT 0562 and Sebenza). I can't get the damn suckers open. The way I grab the knife my dominant fingers fall on the frame-lock. Hence when I engage the flipper or thumb-stud I am putting extra pressure on the detent. The more secure my grip the harder the damn things are to open. Now I can get around this by holding it all weird/weak, but that doesn't seem right. Given the finesse needed to smoothly open these I just don't think that is something I would want to do under stress. In other words it is a big minus for tactical applications (IMO).

Is this something that you all experience too? Or am I just doing it wrong?

- T

I can understand where you are coming from. I personally feel that frame locks are highly over rated for this very reason. I too have gone along with the trend and currently own several of them (ZTs and Sebenza). Lately I have a new appreciation of well executed liner locks. I consistently come around full circle on many things.

 

[BREAKING100]

New Sebenza 25 owner myself and the first few days were pure hell trying to one hand it. I finally figured out I needed to squeeze the side of my thumb between the stud and scale. Pops right open. Just pressing on the pointy stud just caused pain.

 

[cuchulain77]

Take your knife, open it 500 times, by the end you'll be a pro.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I rarely have the problem myself, but you've hit on one reason I don't care for framelocks. Good news is, there are plenty of other locking mechanisms out there, a number of which are stronger and some that are also quicker to close.

 

[AusLoX]

Don't squeeze the lockbar when opening. It will flick open fast. I'm sure it's been said already.

 

[Screwdriver]

My two Striders open easily from any hand position since day one, Some of my ZT's were very difficult to open and almost impossible with my fingers touching any part of the lockbar. My Sebenza 25 still takes a little hand tweaking to open easily.

 

[jprime84]

I have 0562cf number 109, and I can squeeze the lock bar as hard as I can and still flip it open smoothly. It takes maybe twice the force but is very doable.

Now my 0550blk took some getting used to. It would be difficult to open if I gripped the wrong place.

 

[TLoFP]

My 0562 (#1399) has the counntersunk (2 holes) detent hole. I'd say it has a strong detent. Also, the detent ball when closed sits all the way in the blade.
Strangely I can open the knife with my left hand easier than my RH. I'm right handed. Any idea why some of the 0562s have the two holes? Pic below of the 2 drilled holes.

I have the double detend.

 

[bigmark408]

Everyone is different, you claim you have an issue with more than one R.I.L. Knife.

Only you can figure out what your doing wrong and correct it.

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

I always hold primarily on the clip and try to keep my fingers off the lock bar. Something like this:

I trained myself pretty quick after getting my 0561 ages ago, my first framelock flipper.

 

[unwisefool]

Might I suggest a knife with a wave feature for fast deployment?

 

[Lavan]

I want no knife that takes any special handling to open.

Lockbacks have been around forever and liner locks almost forever and framelocks fairly recently.
Are they stronger? Probably, but if I need that much beef holding the blade open, I'll use a fixed blade.

I want my folders to open EASY. With as little thought needed.

 

[soliddawn]

Don't want to beat a dead horse here (not even sure I got the saying right just there) but I can definitely second what you're experiencing. I carried knives since I was a kid but only ever used liner locks, lock backs, slip joints and of course fixed blades. Then I made my first ZT purchase and had the same issue for a literally 3 days but it's like everyone says, just keep at it till you get/ toughen your finger (for some this needs to happen)/ break in the knife. Sure there definitely are different ways you'll learn to hold the knife but at the end of the day it's what works for you consistently. Don't be put off of frame locks just yet, they are now my favorite type of lock. Also I don't own a 0562 but have it's bigger brother the 0561, (this might not apply because it's bigger) but I have found that the best, easiest, and sure fire fastest way of deploying it is cup the handle, get my fourth finger in the lock bar cut out and my pinky on the but end of the pocket clip and then just hardly use my middle finger up by the lock bar for stabilization and then flip! With the index. I know this sounds like a lot just to get the knife open, but it's something I don't ever have to think about anymore, pure muscle memory that gets it open every time with no fail. Just have fun learning!!:thumbup:

 

[whitty]

One more thing to add to this. A lot of people try to push directly in on the flipper. It helps a ton if you light switch it instead of trying to button push it!

 

[TLoFP]

I want no knife that takes any special handling to open.

Lockbacks have been around forever and liner locks almost forever and framelocks fairly recently.
Are they stronger? Probably, but if I need that much beef holding the blade open, I'll use a fixed blade.

I want my folders to open EASY. With as little thought needed.

I fully agree with you.

Don't want to beat a dead horse here (not even sure I got the saying right just there) but I can definitely second what you're experiencing. I carried knives since I was a kid but only ever used liner locks, lock backs, slip joints and of course fixed blades. Then I made my first ZT purchase and had the same issue for a literally 3 days but it's like everyone says, just keep at it till you get/ toughen your finger (for some this needs to happen)/ break in the knife. Sure there definitely are different ways you'll learn to hold the knife but at the end of the day it's what works for you consistently. Don't be put off of frame locks just yet, they are now my favorite type of lock. Also I don't own a 0562 but have it's bigger brother the 0561, (this might not apply because it's bigger) but I have found that the best, easiest, and sure fire fastest way of deploying it is cup the handle, get my fourth finger in the lock bar cut out and my pinky on the but end of the pocket clip and then just hardly use my middle finger up by the lock bar for stabilization and then flip! With the index. I know this sounds like a lot just to get the knife open, but it's something I don't ever have to think about anymore, pure muscle memory that gets it open every time with no fail. Just have fun learning!!:thumbup:

Yup!

Might I suggest a knife with a wave feature for fast deployment?

Those things never resonated with me. But thanks.

One more thing to add to this. A lot of people try to push directly in on the flipper. It helps a ton if you light switch it instead of trying to button push it!

I am doing the light switch thing already.


Just to summarize this. I am glad to hear that I am not alone/crazy. That being said I don't see it as a huge issue. I just haven't had much time with the blade, I am sure it will get better as I get better at it.

- T